ESL is updating its tournament format to align with the new competitive reality of CS2. Starting with ESL Pro League Season 22, all major ESL events will no longer feature showmatches on Finals Sunday. Instead, they will introduce official third-place decider matches, which will directly impact prize money, club rewards, and Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points.
What’s Changing?
From now on, ESL is adding best-of-three third-place matches to all Tier-1 and Wildcard events, starting with:
- ESL Pro League Season 22
- IEM Chengdu 2025
- IEM Kraków 2026
These matches will be played on Sunday before the Grand Final, replacing the traditional showmatches that were mainly for entertainment. The new structure will ensure a clear separation between 3rd and 4th place, with corresponding financial and ranking rewards.
With the continued evolution of the competitive landscape and teams vying for points counting towards their Valve Regional Standings we're today adding third-place decider matches to previously announced tournaments starting at #ESLProLeague Season 22. pic.twitter.com/tEgi3lKGXi
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) July 1, 2025
Why Does It Matter?
- VRS Ranking Decides Major Spots : The Valve Regional Standings (VRS) is the official system for determining CS2 Major invites. Previously, teams that finished 3rd–4th shared the same number of VRS points. With the new system, a third-place match will officially determine standings, granting more value to the result.
- Prize Money Difference: Teams fighting for 3rd place will now have the chance to earn significantly more prize money. In some tournaments, the gap between 3rd and 4th place is as much as $40,000, not counting club bonuses.
- More Top-Level Content for Fans: Both in-person and online fans will enjoy an additional high-stakes BO3 match on Finals Sunday. This is no longer a lighthearted warm-up — it’s a serious match with real consequences.
Examples of 3rd–4th Place Prizes
ESL Pro League Season 22
- 3rd place: $28,000 + $60,000 Club Reward
- 4th place: $22,000 + $50,000
- Difference: $6,000 + $10,000
IEM Chengdu 2025
- 3rd place: $30,000 + $90,000
- 4th place: $20,000 + $70,000
- Difference: $10,000 + $20,000
IEM Kraków 2026
- 3rd place: $100,000 + $31,000
- 4th place: $60,000 + $25,000
- Difference: $40,000 + $6,000
The End of an Era for Showmatches
For years, showmatches were part of ESL’s Sunday experience — lighthearted matchups featuring casters, legends, or mix teams. But as the CS2 ecosystem grows more competitive and structured, these formats have become outdated.
With VRS points on the line, Major invites at stake, and high financial incentives, every day of a tournament — even the final one — now needs to matter competitively.
We want every tournament day to have competitive value. And every match to carry tournament meaning. — ESL’s Position
What This Means for Future Tournaments
- Double-header Sundays: Fans will now enjoy two BO3 matches — a third-place decider and the Grand Final.
- Clearer point distribution: No more shared placements for 3rd–4th.
- Increased player workload: Some teams will play matches with no title hopes, but with major ranking implications.
- Redemption arc potential: A semifinal loser can still end the event on a high note with a win.
ESL is emphasizing structure, competition, and stakes by retiring fun-focused showmatches in favor of serious matchups with real consequences. Third-place decider matches are not just a format tweak — they’re a logical step in evolving the professional CS2 scene, where every round, match, and placement counts.
- For fans — more content and thrilling matches.
- For teams — more opportunities and ranking clarity.
- For the scene — a push toward greater fairness, transparency, and competitiveness.
